UHI Garden

 

Project Summary

In 2008, the University of the Highlands and Islands would like to mark its inaugural year with the creation of a public art and park commission on the grounds of the UHI Executive Office on the banks of the River Ness. To achieve this, the UHI will commission a prominent artist with a track record in Public/Environmental Art. The appointed artists will have overall responsibility for the design of the garden.

However, in recognition of the important work carried out by the Horticulture Schools within the UHI Partnership, the UHI wishes to create a unique opportunity for horticulture students to be involved in the design process.

History/Background

The primary aim of the project is to create a landmark in the development of the UHI and to celebrate the institute’s anticipated status as the University of the Highlands and Islands in 2008. However, the project has the potential to deliver a wider range of benefits, through the following aims:

  • To enhance the visual impact of the UHI Executive Office area.
  • To create a new, unique park facility for the benefit of the community of Inverness City.
  • To promote the unique aspects of the UHI profile through the design features of the garden and public artwork.
  • To make a significant contribution to the range of strategic public art developments, currently being developed along the Ness banks and islands area.
  • To launch the opening of the Inaugural Garden as part of the overall celebrations of Highland Culture in 2007

The aims of the project ensure a wide and varied audience for the finished garden. Importantly, the commission will provide the UHI with a much needed visual reference which will have the potential to be used as a strong marketing aid. It is anticipated that it will achieve high visibility through its representation on a range of publications, brochures, newsletters and the UHI website.

The prominent location of the garden and its inclusion within a programme of public art commission will attract positive public attention, and will establish the project’s status as a key feature within the overall redevelopment and promotion of Inverness as a new Scottish city.

Potential users within the immediate vicinity will include:

  • UHI Executive Office staff, visiting staff from partner colleges, and other visitors to the building
  • Leisure-users (general public and UHI staff who wish to use the facility for relaxation and enjoyment)
  • Tourists
  • Locals/passers by.
  • Users of the hospital
  • Residents of the Retirement Homes
  • Residents of the private homes
  • Chapel users

The garden is in a prominent and highly visible position on Ness Walk. The site, which has listed status, primarily acts as a frontage to the UHI Office building: a position which lends itself to interesting possibilities in terms of creating a design which reflects the objectives of the UHI Executive. The current garden design is failing to achieve the site’s potential impact, and is largely un-noticed and underused.

The overall ambition of the project is to achieve a garden design which:

  • Acts as an appropriate backdrop to the public art commission.
  • Reflects the philosophy and ambitions of the UHI
  • Creates an interesting and attractive place that will add to and enhance the overall visual impact of the City.
  • Opens up access, and attracts potential users.
  • Incorporates features or furniture that will encourage users to spend leisure time.
  • Is robust and as damage-proof as possible.
  • Minimises maintenance costs as much as possible.

Horticultural students from Moray and Perth colleges were involved in a competition to create a garden design for the site.  It is hoped that the artists who wins the public art commission will have an opportunity to take forward the winning garden design.

In addition, the project manager organised an exhibition of the completed garden design proposals as part of the Six Cities Design Festival.  This event gave the students positive exposure of their work.

Planned Outcomes

  1. Access to the area will be improved allowing for passers by to feel free to use the area
  2. The garden area will provide a welcoming atmosphere for all potential users
  3. The garden area will be a well used riverside location for a variety of users
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